2012 Audi A4

Basic Specs

Base Price TBA
Drivetrain All Wheel Drive
Curb Weight (lbs) 3505
City (MPG) 22
Hwy (MPG) 30
Horsepower 211@4300-6000
Torque (lb-ft) 258@1500-4200
Wheelbase 110.6
Length (in.) 185.2
Width (in.) 80.3
Height (in.) 56.2

Audi 's A4 sedan has been updated to share many design cues with the new A5 coupe, the A4's two-door sibling, for the latest generation. It's also much larger and more powerful, too.

In order to compete, several changes were made, one of which included adding a level of sophistication and sex appeal to the car. A signature mark of the Audi brand, the new A4 boasts new Xenon Plus headlights feature daytime driving lights that consist of 14 white LEDs.

Another area that received attention was size. The new C-Class and 3-Series rival is 185 inches long -- 4.5 inches longer than the previous A4, seven inches longer than its BMW counterpart, and four inches longer than its Mercedes rival. The new A4 is also wider, at 71.9 inches. It exceeds the 3-Series in width by a fraction of an inch, while surpassing the C-Class by two inches and the previous A4 by just as much.

The proportions have a new balance compared with the previous model: the front body overhang has been considerably reduced and the bonnet and wheelbase are now noticeably longer. A long, coupe-style roof line meets the side sections of the body at an almost invisible zero-gap joint.

The car's wheelbase has grown to 110.6 inches, while interior space has increased by nearly an inch. Rear passenger knee room has grown 1.5 inches to a respectable 35.75 inches. Compare to the C-Class and 3-Series, the new A4's wheelbase is two inches greater.

The A4's new body shell is 10 percent lighter than the outgoing model, despite being much larger. Overall weight is up very slightly, but more efficient engines mean fuel economy is better across the board.

The final key area to address when attempting to compete with German luxury sedans is the drivetrain, something Audi decided to take a new and unique approach to for the latest model year.

Gone are the multiple engine offerings, and in place of six and four-cylinder offerings is a single, 2.0-liter TFSI engine. This turbocharged four-cylinder engine is good for an impressive 211 horsepower from 4,300 to 6,000 rpm, and 258 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 to 4,200 rpm.

Interestingly, despite having just one engine, there are three transmissions to choose from. The first is a six-speed manual transmission, good for a zero-to-60 jaunt of just 6.4 seconds, while returning 22 city, and 30 highway miles per gallon. This of course is mated to the sporty quattro all-wheel drive.

Switching to the Tiptronic eight-speed transmission will lower fuel economy to 21 city, 29 highway, and add two-tenths to the zero-to-60 time. This model also features quattro all-wheel drive.

The final transmission option is the Multitronic CVT, which returns the best highway fuel economy of 31 mpg, with a city rating of 21, and the slowest acceleration time of the three at just 7.1 seconds. This is the only transmission to use FrontTrak front-wheel drive, not quattro all-wheel drive.

Key Competitors
The Audi A4 is targeted at the perennial gold standard of sports sedans, the BMW 3-Series , as well as the improved Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the slightly larger Cadillac CTS and the luxurious Lexus IS 250 .

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    • General
    • Body Style: Sedan
    • Size: Compact
    • Market Segment: Near-Luxury
    • Weight: 3505 lbs
    • Exterior
    • Length: 185.2 in.
    • Width: 80.3 in.
    • Height: 56.2 in.
    • Wheelbase: 110.6 in.
    • Ground Clearance: 4.2 in.
    • Front Track: 61.6 in.
    • Rear Track: 61.1 in.
    • Weight Distribution: TBD
    • Drag Coefficient: 0.28
    • Interior - General
    • Seats: 5
    • Passenger Volume: 91.0 cu. ft.
    • Cargo Volume: 12.4 cu. ft.
    • Cargo Volume (Seats Folded): TBD
    • Interior - Front Row
    • Volume: TBD
    • Leg Room: 41.3 in.
    • Head Room: 40.0 in.
    • Shoulder Room: 55.5 in.
    • Hip Room: TBD
    • Interior - Second Row
    • Volume: TBD
    • Leg Room: 35.2 in.
    • Head Room: 37.5 in.
    • Shoulder Room: 54.3 in.
    • Hip Room: TBD
    • Propulsion
    • Fuel Type: Gas
    • Engine Type: 2.0L I4
    • Power: 211 hp @ 4300-6000 rpm
    • Torque: 258 lb-ft @ 1500-4200 rpm
    • Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
    • Highway Fuel Economy: 30 mpg
    • City Fuel Economy: 22 mpg
    • Forced Induction: Turbocharger
    • Direct Injection: Yes
    • Chassis
    • Layout: All Wheel Drive
    • Front Suspension: Multi-Link
    • Rear Suspension: Strut-Type
    • Wheels
    • Front: 17" Aluminum
    • Front Tires: 245/45
    • Rear: 17" Aluminum
    • Rear Tires: 245/45
    • Trailering & Hauling
    • Trailer Weight: TBD
    • Payload:
    • Tongue Weight: TBD

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    Step 2 - Options

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    Wheels

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      17" 10-spoke-Star-design wheels w/ 245/45 all-season tires

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      18†5-arm-design wheels w/ 245/40 all-season tires

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    Packages

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      Convenience package

      • The convenience package includes thoughtful amenities that help make your driving experience effortless. The Audi music interface with iPod® cable provides full iPod controls on your MMI screen while Bluetooth® connectivity lets you access your mobile phone’s features, hands free, via the MMI operating system. The package also includes HomeLink® universal remote, a simple three button system that allows you to control garage doors, gates and lights inside your home.
      • Audi music interface with iPod® integration
      • Bluetooth® preparation for mobile phone
      • Homelink® universal garage door opener

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      Style package

      • This package further refines the aesthetics of your vehicle and contributes to your safety. Polished stainless steel exhaust finishers and aluminum window surrounds provide a dash of sophisticated style. Audi xenon plus lights with LED daytime running lights and LED taillights not only look distinctive but also enhance visibility. And automatic headlamp leveling keeps the vehicle’s headlights aimed at the road, even while navigating over bumps and depressions.
      • Automatic, dynamic headlight-range adjustment
      • Audi xenon plus headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights
      • Exterior chrome window trim
      • LED taillights

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    Options

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      Heated front seats

      • With a convenient touch of a button, the six-level seat heating system warms the entire surface of the seat.

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      Dark Brown Walnut wood decorative inlays

      • Dark Brown Walnut genuine wood inlays offers an additional level of sophistication and luxury in the A4.

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